Hairless Dogs
Victor Helu has been a noted breeder, exhibitor, and handler of since the early 1980s, and has handled several Cresteds of both varieties to Best in Show and Best in Specialty Show. Together with friend and breeder Arlene Butterklee, of Gingery Chinese Cresteds, he's produced more than 150 AKC Chinese Crested champions to date. He's been a Board Member of several breed clubs, including the American Chinese Crested Club when the breed was accepted into the AKC. Currently, he handles several breeds in the Northeast.
Rules
1. The first rule is to keep the skin clean. The skin of a hairless dog should be soft and smooth. Oils and dirt can clog the pores, often leading to blackheads and pustules. Weekly baths are usually enough to keep the skin clean. More frequent baths are recommended for a dog that has oily skin. As a general rule, I do not recommend the use of lotions unless they are removed after use.
2. Keep the skin free of infections. Skin infections can be either bacterial or fungal. While minor infections can be treated by keeping the area clean, veterinary help is advised for the more serious or persistent infections, which sometimes require prescription medications.
3. Keep the skin free of parasites. Often undetectable to the naked eye, the presence of parasites can lead to redness, flakiness, or sores. Again, veterinary help is advised to help with the diagnosis and cure.
4. The final rule is to tan your dog when you can. Although the tanning of the skin does not improve the quality of the dog, it does give the dog a more striking look, especially in the case of a spotted dog.
Although beauty is only skin deep, skin is often one of the first features seen in a hairless dog.
Tools
In general, I do not have any "favorite" products. Any deep-cleaning shampoo or hand soap will keep the skin clean. Using a loofah can help remove dead skin and debris. An astringent should be used after the removal of any excess hair. Many exhibitors use Corn Husker's Lotion on the Hairless' skin prior to exhibiting. While this is fine for the ring, I recommend its removal after showing.
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